我が運命を決めるのは我也我が魂を制するのは我也 waga unmei wo kimeru no wa ware nari, waga tamashii wo seisuru no wa ware nari I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul

我が運命を決めるのは我也我が魂を制するのは我也 is a vow in two matched halves: I decide my fate, and I govern my soul. 運命 is fate, 魂 is the soul, and 制する is to govern or hold in check, the verb chosen for captain. 也 writes nari, the classical word for is. Said twice, it turns two plain statements into a vow. Whether it is for a hard road you are on or for someone finding their feet again is yours.

The line renders the closing couplet of William Ernest Henley's poem known as Invictus, dated 1875 and first printed in 1888, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

We want you to be as happy with the meaning as you are with Master Takase's art. To learn more, visit Philology of 我が運命を決めるのは我也我が魂を制するのは我也.

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